Work and videoconference assembly

ABSTRACT

A monitor support assembly comprising a support frame including a first elongated frame member forming a first surface and a second elongated frame member forming a second surface, the second frame member supported adjacent and parallel to the first frame member with the first surface facing the second surface and forming an elongated gap, a panel assembly including a first panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces and a second panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces, the second panel member supported adjacent the first panel member with the front surface of the first panel member facing the rear surface of the second panel member, the panel assembly supported within the gap by the first and second frame members and an electronic display mounted to the front surface of the second panel member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to one person work spaces designed tofacilitate and enhance use of technology in open floor plan environmentsand more specifically to work spaces designed to support individual workactivities as well as accommodate two person and videoconferenceactivities in open floor plan spaces.

Many companies purchase or rent large amounts of office space andprovide either personal offices or personal workstations or spaces(e.g., cubicles) for each employee for performing individual employmenttasks. In many of these cases, each employee is provided with a computerof some type including, among other components, a display and one ormore input devices (e.g., a keyboard) for generating and accessingdigital media content. Personal computers are also used to facilitatevideoconferencing within dedicated private spaces. Conference rooms areset up to facilitate meetings among two or more employees where theconference rooms often include, among other things, large displays forfacilitating videoconferences and for sharing digital media content.

In the last few years, in an effort to reduce real estate costs, manycompanies have started to eliminate many dedicated personal offices andworkstations in company facilities by having employees work directly outof their homes most of the time. In these cases, when an employee needsto periodically be at a company facility for some reason, many companiesprovide “hotdesks” at their facilities that can be used by any employeeon a part time (e.g., by the day, by the hour, etc.) basis. Many knownhotdesk configurations are very simple and may include nothing more thana table or bench having a plurality of spaces where any employee can useany of the bench spaces while at a company facility. For instance, anemployee may set up a temporary office with the employee's laptopsupported at one of the hotdesk spaces. Other hotdesks may include acomputer and a keyboard or other input device for use by visitingemployees. Still other hotdesks may include more structure such as aconventional partition wall structure surrounding a computer supportedby a worksurface. To support group activities among co-locatedemployees, most employers still provide large conference rooms equippedwith large displays for digital data sharing and videoconferencing.

While hotdesks have been employed successfully to reduce real estatecosts in many companies, known hotdesks have several shortcomings whichlikely reduce overall worker efficiency and effectiveness. For instance,because many employees routinely access digital media on display screensand often access several applications at once, it would be advantageousto have access to at least one relatively large display screen at ahotdesk. Hotdesks that require employees to use laptop computers clearlydo not provide large display screen access. Other hotdesks equipped withscreens typically have small display screens.

As another instance, many hotdesks do not provide enough enclosure togive user's a sense of privacy. For instance, where hotdesks comprisespaces at a bench, hotdesk users are completely exposed which can causeanxiety as well as minimize the frankness with which user's verballycommunicate with others in their hotdesk space and remotely via phone orvideoconference. In other cases hotdesks may be too enclosed toeffectively support dyadic communication. To this end, while the lionsshare of tasks performed by employees are performed independent of otherpeople, it is believed that the second largest volume of tasks performedby employees involve communications between only two people. While smallenclosed hotdesks may be ideal for use by a single employee, the smallenclosed space often is too tight for use by two people. In these cases,instead of using a small, enclosed space to facilitate dyadiccommunications, often two employees will seek out a large conferencespace to share ideas and collaborate or will simply attempt tocollaborate in an open facility space using a laptop or the like toaccess digital media.

Where the number of enclosed conference spaces are small, collaborationin open spaces using laptops occurs more often which it is believed hasan adverse affect on collaboration both because small screens are notoptimal for viewing by two people and because people naturally are lessinclined to openly share thoughts in a completely open space. While acompany could build out a great number of large conference spaces, thosespaces would be too large for optimal dyadic collaboration.

As still one other instance, hotdesks often require users to userelatively poor quality equipment for videoconferencing. For example, inmany cases hotdesk user's have to use their laptop screens, cameras andspeakers and ambient lighting to videoconference. In these cases oftenthe lighting is poor resulting in a poor quality image being presentedto a remote conferee, the speakers are not high quality and are notoriented to emanate sound directly toward a hotdesk user and the laptopscreens are too small to present a realistic image of a remote conferee.In addition, laptop display screens are often supported on a worksurfaceheight desk so that they are angled rearward from bottom to top so thata remote conferee's image is presented in a somewhat horizontalorientation. The angled screen position often results in a video of thelocal conferee that is not head on (e.g., resulting in alignment “up thenose”) resulting in a poor experience for the remote conferee.Exacerbating matters, laptop users can change the distance between alaptop and the user which changes the size of the user in the resultingvideo so that the user's size is often too large or too small in theresulting video. Where a dedicated screen is provided at a hotdesk, manyof the problems described above with laptops still persist as ambientlighting and relative positions of displays, cameras and local confereescontinue to be issues.

Thus, it would be advantageous to have workspace configurations that areoptimized for personal use but which have attributes that are alsorelatively optimal for facilitating dyadic collaboration between twopersons. It would also be advantageous if the workspace configurationswere configured to optimize a videoconferencing experience withoptimized lighting, optimized camera to local conferee distance andoptimized and directional audio support. It would further beadvantageous if the workspace configurations were simply configured andrelatively inexpensive to configure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the description that follows and from the drawings which illustrateembodiments of the invention, and which are incorporated herein byreference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that a relatively simple workstation for use by asingle person can be configured that includes a table top memberadjacent a totem or display screen support structure where thedimensions of the screen, support structure and table top are such thatthe person is positioned ideally for obtaining video during a videoconference. A display is mounted to the totem and, in at least someembodiments, includes a height adjustment subassembly that enables auser to adjust the height of the display with respect to the table top,to compensate for different height persons that may use theconfiguration at different times. Thus, the display height can be movedup or down depending on a user's height, to align the display with theuser so that, during conferencing, an image of a remote conferee can beadjusted up or down and eye-to-eye contact may result.

In at least some embodiments the display is mounted in a core assemblythat includes an outer shell that also houses an audio box (e.g.,including speakers, an amplifier, etc.), a camera and a power strip.Here, the shell may operate to direct sound from the audio box forwardtoward a local user thereby increasing the quality and volume of soundadjacent on the side of the assembly including the table while reducingthe quality and volume on other sides of the assembly. The core assemblymay also include the height adjustment subassembly.

In some embodiments the height adjustment assembly may be located withincompartments formed by the shell so that the overall core package has arelatively clean and simple appearance. While the core assembly may beused with a totem or the like, in other cases it is contemplated thatthe core assembly may be used independent of a totem and instead maysimply be mounted to any structural wall.

In some embodiments the totem or display screen support structureincludes a panel assembly mounted to a frame structure. In some casesthe panel assembly may simply include two rigid members, each havingfront and rear surfaces, where the rigid members are placed oneimmediately adjacent the other and a display may be mounted to theexposed front surface. Here, a channel may be routed into one of themembers that is between the contacting surfaces to operate as a wiremanagement channel to route power (and perhaps data) cables to thedisplay screen. In at least some cases the framer structure includesfirst and second frame members that sandwich the first and second panelmembers together. In some cases the panel members extend from oppositesides of the sandwiching frame members and bushings between the framemembers are used to secure the panel members to the frame members. Here,the resulting structure is relatively simply constructed and yet isextremely functional as many different panel and frame constructions canbe formed to meet different design objectives. In some cases a fabriccover member may be placed onto one or both of the panel members toincrease sound absorption within a workspace, In some cases a layer offoam may be provided under a fabric cover to further increase soundabsorption.

A lounge and arch assembly is contemplated in some embodiments where thearch defines a space about the a lounge or sofa type seating arrangementto provide additional privacy. In at least some embodiments the archsupports lighting, audio and microphone devices that can be used tosubstantially enhance a videoconferencing experience. In some cases thelighting in the arch is provides indirectly by shining light ontointernal surfaces of the arch assembly causing those surfaces to glowand fill the space defined by the arch with light. In some embodiments alounge is positioned relative to a totem supported display screen tooptimize privacy as well as to optimize videoconferencing activities.

Some embodiments of the invention include a monitor support assemblycomprising a support frame including (i) a first elongated frame memberforming a first surface and (ii) a second elongated frame member forminga second surface, the second frame member supported adjacent andparallel to the first frame member with the first surface facing thesecond surface and forming an elongated gap, a panel assembly including(i) a first panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallelfront and rear surfaces and (ii) a second panel member having oppositelyfacing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces, the second panelmember supported adjacent the first panel member with the front surfaceof the first panel member facing the rear surface of the second panelmember, the panel assembly supported within the gap by the first andsecond frame members with the front surface of the second panel memberand the rear surface of the first panel member adjacent and facing thefirst and second surfaces of the first and second frame members thatform the gap, the panel assembly extending laterally to either side ofthe gap and at least a first electronic display mounted to and supportedadjacent the front surface of the second panel member.

In some cases the first electronic display includes a power cable andwherein a channel is formed between the front surface of the first panelmember and the rear surface of the second panel member, the power cablelinked to the electronic display passing from the electronic displaythrough the channel. In some cases the second panel member forms a holethat passes from the front surface of the second panel member to therear surface of the second panel member, the hole aligned with thechannel and the power line passing through the hole into the channel. Insome cases at least one of the front surface of the first panel memberand the rear surface of the second panel member is recessed fromadjacent portions of the surface to form the channel. In some cases therear surface of the second panel member forms the recess that forms thechannel. In some cases the rear surface of the second panel is pressedagainst the front surface of the first panel member.

In some embodiments the first and second facing surfaces of the firstand second elongated members compress the second panel member againstthe first panel member with the rear surface of the second panel membercontacting the front surface of the first panel member along at leastportions of the rear and front surfaces of the second and first panelmembers, respectively. In some cases the second panel member includes asubstantially rigid structural member forming a circumferential edge anda fabric cover that extends across the front surface of the structuralmember and that wraps around the circumferential edge, the edges of thefabric cover sandwiched between the facing rear surface of the secondpanel member and the front surface of the first panel member.

In some cases each of the first and second panel members is formed ofbent sheet metal. In some cases each of the first and second panelmembers is substantially flat within the gap and forms at least one bendadjacent the gap, the at least one bend of the second panel membermirroring the at least one bend of the first panel member. In some caseseach of the first and second panel members forms a bend to either sideof the gap.

Some embodiments further include at least one bushing mounted betweenthe first and second elongated frame members within the gap that formsan upwardly facing surface, each of the first and second panel membersforming an opening having a downwardly facing surface that is receivedon the upwardly facing surface to support the panel member within thegap. In some cases the openings formed by the panel members are holes.In some cases the elongated gap is a first elongated gap, the frameassembly further includes third and fourth elongated frame members thatform third and fourth surfaces, respectively, the third frame membersupported adjacent and parallel to the fourth frame member with thethird surface facing the fourth surface and forming a second elongatedgap, the panel assembly further supported within the second elongatedgap by the third and fourth frame members with the front surface of thesecond panel member and the rear surface of the first panel memberadjacent and facing the third and fourth surfaces of the first andsecond frame members that form the second elongated gap, respectively,the panel assembly extending laterally to either side of the secondelongated gap.

In some cases the first and second elongated gaps are formed indifferent parallel planes. In some cases the first panel member has acircumferential edge and wherein lateral portions of the circumferentialedge are exposed on opposite sides of the frame members. Someembodiments further include a table top member supported by the supportframe adjacent the front surface of the second panel member. Someembodiments further include a shelf member supported at a height below atop surface of the table top member and between the table top member andthe second panel member.

Other embodiments include a panel assembly comprising:

a support frame including (i) a first frame structure forming at leastfirst and second elongated surfaces that reside in different first andsecond planes, respectively and (ii) a second frame structure forming atleast first and second elongated surfaces that are substantiallyparallel to and spaced apart from the first and second elongatedsurfaces formed by the first frame structure to form first and secondelongated mounting gaps that extend along the different first and secondplanes, respectively, a panel assembly including at least a firstsubstantially rigid and integrally formed panel member having oppositelyfacing front and rear surfaces, the panel assembly supported within eachof the first and second elongated mounting gaps and extending to eitherside of each of the first and second mounting gaps with a centralportion of the panel assembly extending between the first and secondmounting gaps, a first wing portion extending from the first mountinggap to a side opposite the central portion and terminating in a firstexposed panel edge portion and a second wing portion extending from thesecond mounting gap to a side opposite the central portion andterminating in a second exposed panel edge portion.

In some cases each of the first and second elongated mounting gapsextends substantially vertically, the central portion of the panelassembly forming at least a first curve between the elongated mountinggaps. In some cases the portions of the panel assembly within the firstand second elongated mounting gaps are substantially parallel. In somecases the central portion of the panel assembly includes a substantiallyflat wall portion and first and second curved portions between the flatwall portion and the portions of the panel assembly within the first andsecond elongated mounting gaps. In some cases the flat wall portion issubstantially perpendicular to the portions of the panel assembly withinthe first and second elongated mounting gaps. In some cases the panelmember is formed of bent sheet metal.

In some cases the panel member is a first panel member and the panelassembly further includes a second panel member having oppositely facingfront and rear surfaces, the second panel member positioned adjacent thefirst panel member with the rear surface of the second panel membercontacting the front surface of the first panel member. In some casesthe first panel member forms a hole and one of the front surface of thefirst panel member and the rear surface of the second panel member formsa channel that extends from the hole to a lower edge of the panel memberthat forms the channel. Some embodiments further include a displaymounted to the front surface of the second panel member.

Some embodiments include a lounge assembly comprising a lounge includinga seat and a backrest and having first and second ends, an archsupported by the lounge, the arch including first and secondsubstantially vertical end wall members that extend upward from adjacentthe first and second ends of the lounge and a ceiling member thattraverses the distance between the first and second end wall members,the space between the end wall members forming an arch space, each endwall member having an internal surface facing the arch space, each ofthe end wall members and the ceiling member having a rear edge proximatethe backrest and a front edge opposite the rear edge and first andsecond light sources supported by the first and second end wall members,respectively, each light source generating light that is directed atleast partially onto the internal surface of the end wall member thatsupports the light source along trajectories away from the front edge ofthe end wall member that supports the light source.

In some cases each light source includes a reflector that extends atleast partially into the arch space and that reflects light from thelight source along trajectories away from the front edges. In some caseschannels are formed in the internal surfaces of each of the first andsecond end wall members and wherein the light sources are at leastpartially received in the channels. In some cases the reflectors extendat least partially into the channels.

In some cases each of the channels is formed proximate the front edge ofone of the side wall members. In some cases the internal surfaces arecovered with a material that reflects the light back into the arch area.Some embodiments further include an audio box supported by the ceilingmember within the arch area. In some cases each of the end wall membersforms a channel adjacent the front edge of the wall member, the lightsources each including light generating devices and reflectors, thelight generating devices mounted within the channels and the reflectorsreflecting light along the trajectories away from the front edges of theend wall members.

In some cases the light devices include strings of LEDs mounted in thechannels, the reflectors including elongated reflectors that extendalong at least a portion of a height of each of the end wall members. Insome cases a channel is formed along the front edge of the ceilingmember and wherein a light source is also mounted within the channelformed in the ceiling member to direct light along trajectories awayfrom the front edge of the ceiling member. Some embodiments furtherinclude a screen member supported by the arch. The screen memberincluding a substantially planar member having a shape similar to theshape formed by the rear edges of the side wall members and the ceilingmember, the planar member spaced apart from the rear edges of the sidewall members and the ceiling member to form a gap. In some cases the gapis between two and eight inches wide.

Other embodiments include a display assembly for mounting a display to asupport structure for movement between different heights, the assemblycomprising an external frame member that forms an internal frame space,the frame member including substantially parallel top and bottom wallmembers and substantially parallel first and second lateral wall membersthat traverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottomwall members to form the frame space there between that is open to afront side, the frame member forming a rear frame opening, an electronicdisplay screen mounted within the frame space so that a display surfaceof the display screen faces out the front side of the frame space, amounting plate located outside the frame space for mounting to thesupport structure, a first height adjustment spring assembly mountedwithin the frame space and a first bracket connected to the springassembly within the frame space and extending from the frame space andconnected to the mounting bracket outside the frame space.

Some embodiments further include a second height adjustment springassembly mounted within the frame space and a second bracket connectedto the second spring assembly within the frame space and extending fromthe frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the shellspace. In some cases the spring assembly is a gas spring assembly thatincludes a rod that telescopes from a spring housing, the first bracketconnected proximate a distal end of the rod.

Some embodiments further include at least a first guide rod mountedwithin the frame space and at least a first guide sleeve mounted forsliding movement on the guide rod, the first guide sleeve secured to themounting plate. Some embodiments further include at least a second guidesleeve mounted for sliding movement to the guide rod and also secured tothe mounting plate. In some cases the mounting plate forms a shelfmember that extends into a cavity formed in the shell space, the cavitymoving vertically relative to the shelf during height adjustment of thedisplay screen. Some embodiments further include an audio box mountedwithin the frame space. Some embodiments further include a glass covermember supported in the open front side of the frame member.

In some cases the glass cover has dimensions smaller than dimensionsbetween the internal surfaces of the shell adjacent the front side ofthe shell so that a gap is formed between adjacent edges of the covermember and the frame member. In some cases there is a direct pathbetween the audio box and the space external to the frame member throughthe gap. Some embodiments further include a shell member mounted withinthe frame member, the shell member forming compartments for mounting thedisplay screen and the height adjustment spring assembly. In some casesthe shell member forms a rear surface, the frame member forming a flangethat mounts to the rear surface of the shell member.

Still other embodiments include a display assembly for mounting to asupport structure for movement between different heights, the assemblycomprising an external frame member that forms an internal frame space,the frame member including substantially parallel top and bottom wallmembers and substantially parallel first and second lateral wall membersthat traverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottomwall members to form the frame space there between that is open to afront side, the frame member including flanges that extend inward fromrear edges of the wall members forming a rear frame opening, an internalshell member that includes side walls and a rear wall that form arectilinear shell space that is open to a front side, the rear wall ofthe internal shell member mounted to the flanges formed by the framemember with the shell member positioned within the frame space, the rearwall forming at least first and second elongated and substantiallyvertically oriented openings, an electronic display screen mountedwithin the shell space so that a display surface of the display screenfaces out the front side of the shell space, a mounting plate locatedoutside the frame space for mounting to the support structure, a firstheight adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space, asecond height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space,a first bracket connected to the first spring assembly within the shellspace and extending through the first opening formed by the rear wall ofthe shell member from the frame space and connected to the mountingbracket outside the frame space and a second bracket connected to thesecond spring assembly within the shell space and extending through thesecond opening formed by the rear wall of the shell member from theframe space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the framespace.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The followingdescription and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certainillustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention can be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a standing totem assembly that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, albeit showing a core assembly that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention mountedto the totem assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of the frame assembly or structureshown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1,albeit where a rear panel member is shown in an exploded position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the channel forming member shown inFIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the core assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a rear plan view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the shell assembly shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded view of a subset of the components shownin FIG. 18 including a mounting plate, a shell assembly and heightadjustment subassemblies;

FIG. 21 is similar to FIG. 3, albeit showing the core assembly of FIG.12 mounted to the support structure and also showing the core assemblyin phantom in a second position;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a furniture configuration that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a front plan view of the lounge assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a side plan view of the lounge assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a rear plan view of the lounge assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the lounge assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the lounge assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 is a partially exploded view of the lounge assembly shown inFIG. 22;

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the arch assembly shown in FIG.28;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 30-30 in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the technology ribbon shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 32-32 in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective of the core support assembly shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 34 is a front plan view of the assembly shown FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a side plane view of the assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a rear plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a bottom view of the core assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 39 is a partially exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a support structure similar to thesupport structure shown in FIG. 1, albeit including a canopy extensionmember for lighting purposes;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 41-41 in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a front plan view similar to the view shown in FIG. 23,albeit including a bolster accessory;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the bolster assembly of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44-44 in FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of another table and screen supportstructure that is consistent with at least some aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 46-46 in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a subset of components that may besubstituted for a subset of the components shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 48 is a flow chart that may be performed by a processor associatedwith the core shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a central panel member that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 50 is a side view similar to the view shown in FIG. 24, albeitincluding a screen support bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The various aspects of the subject invention are now described withreference to the annexed drawings, wherein like reference numeralscorrespond to similar elements throughout the several views. It shouldbe understood, however, that the drawings and detailed descriptionhereafter relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subjectmatter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numeralscorresponding to similar elements throughout the several view and, morespecifically, referring to FIGS. 1-11, at least some aspects of thepresent invention will be described in the context of an exemplarystanding workstation 10 that is designed to be optimally used by asingle user, but which can be used by two people at one time to shareinformation in a dyadic fashion. Exemplary station 10 includes structurefor supporting both a table top member 12 and a multi-media coreassembly 120 (see also FIG. 12) which will be referred to herein afteras a core assembly 120. In general, the workstation assembly 10 is afree standing structure which may be provided in any open space within afacility.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3-6, assembly 10 has aconstruction which has been designed to have a particularlyaesthetically pleasing appearance but which affords at least someprivacy for an assembly user. In particular, assembly 10 includes lightweight frame structure 216 that supports a light weight shroud or panelassembly that, in at least some embodiments, includes front and rearpanel or shroud members 28 and 30, respectively, adjacent table topmember 12 to afford at least some privacy. In at least some cases,assembly 10 may be spaced from an ambient wall (not illustrated) so thata front edge (see 90 in FIG. 6) forms a gap with the wall surface largeenough to accommodate an assembly user. For instance, in some cases thewall to edge gap may be three feet. In other cases, a plurality ofassemblies may be positioned in a line where the rear surface of eachmember 30 is spaced from a front edge 90 of an adjacent top member 12.In this way the shroud and other structure in a facility cooperate toprovide privacy to an assembly user in a relatively simple and costeffective manner.

Here the phrase “light weight” refers to appearance of components andnot necessarily to the weight of components. In this regard, forinstance, exemplary frame members (see FIG. 9 generally) used toconstruct frame 26 may have a relatively minimal one and one-half inchby one-half inch cross-sectional shape while each panel member 28, 30,may have a thickness of between one-sixteenth inch and one-half inch sothat the combined thickness of the shroud assembly 28, 30 is minimal.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3-6, frame 26 includes a plurality ofelongated members that define or form an outer or first frame structureand an inner or second frame structure that is framed by the outer framestructure where facing elongated surfaces of the outer and inner framestructures form elongated gaps (see 27 in FIG. 3). The panel or shroudassembly 28, 30 is mounted to the frame structures so that the assembly28, 30 is received in the gap 27 and extends to either side thereof. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 6, assembly 28, 30 forms a plurality of bends orcurves such that assembly 28, 30 is mounted at two different locationswithin gap 27. The bends or curves result in an assembly 28, 30 having ashape that forms a receiving space 11 in which core assembly 120 can bemounted. Assembly 28, 30 forms lateral wings 50 and 52 that flare out toopposite lateral sides from the receiving space to block view of a coreassembly 120 display screen from side locations. As described in moredetail hereafter, panel assembly 28, 30 and the frame 26, despite havinga relatively light weight appearance, provide hidden wire managementchannels so that no cables or cords appear after assembly.

Assembly 10 includes a base structure 20, a foot rail 22, an uprightframe structure 26, a table pedestal 18, table top member 12, rearshroud or panel member 30, front shroud or panel member 28, a bridgemember 32, a plurality of height adjustable foot members collectivelyidentified by numerals 24, a wire management channel forming member 40(see FIGS. 3, 4 and 8), a power/data outlet subassembly 42 (see FIGS. 6and 8), and a plurality of mechanical fasteners (e.g., screw, bolts,nuts, etc.), which are not separately illustrated. Referringspecifically to FIG. 9, base structure 20 includes a plurality of rigidmetal components 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d that are mechanicallyfastened together to form a rigid sub-structure that forms a horizontalfootprint sufficient to hold the upright frame structure 26 andcomponents attached thereto in a stable upright position. In at leastsome embodiments, although not illustrated, the base structure 20 mayinclude components to fasten an ambient surface such as a floor surfaceto ensure that components supported thereby do not inadvertently tipover. In other embodiments, base structure 20 may include some type ofweight device to increase the overall weight of assembly 10 near thebottom portion thereof to reduce the possibility of the assembly 10tipping.

Referring still to FIG. 9, upright frame structure 26 includes aplurality of members 80, 82, 70, etc., that form a sub-structure thatgenerally extends upward from base structure 20 to support a subset ofthe other assembly components. In the illustrated example, upright framestructure 26 extends upward from base structure 20 near, but spacedforward of, a rear end of the base structure (see FIG. 4). Framestructure 26 includes an internal or inner relatively thin structuralframe or frame structure 82 located within an external or outerstructural frame or frame structure 80 (see FIG. 3) where a gap 27 isformed between the internal and external frame structures. To providethis look, the upright frame structure 26 includes bushings 69 a, 69 b,69 c and 69 d that are used to space the external frame structure 80from the internal frame structure 82 to form gap 27. A top frame member70 continues the external frame structure up and around a top portion ofthe internal frame structure 82 (see again FIG. 9) so that a uniform gapappears around the entire upright frame structure 26. Height adjustablefoot assemblies 24 are mounted to base structure 20 and can beindividually adjusted to compensate for irregularities in a supportfloor.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 8, table pedestal 18 is mounted at abottom end to base structure 20 and extends upward there from to a topend where table top member 12 is supported at a height that iscomfortable for use by an average height person in a standing position.An exemplary table height for use by a standing person is thirty-eightinches but other heights between thirty-four and forty-two inches arecontemplated. A bottom or undersurface 21 (see FIG. 4) of top member 12is mechanically fastened (e.g., severed) to the top end of pedestal 10.While not shown, in at least some embodiments, it is contemplated thatpedestal 18 may be a telescoping pedestal enabling a user to adjust theheight of top member 12 to suit a specific user's needs.

Top member 12 forms a top work surface 17 that is substantiallyhorizontal in the illustrated example. Referring specifically to FIG. 6,top member 12 has a unique shape defined by an outer edge that forms afront edge 90, a rear edge 96 and first and second lateral or side edges92 and 94, respectively. The front and rear edges 90 and 96 aregenerally parallel to each other while side edges 92 and 94 extend fromopposite ends of front edge 90 at similar obtuse angles toward oppositeends of rear edge 96. The obtuse angles between front edge 90 and eachof the side edge 92 and 94 are approximately 110° although other anglesare contemplated. Rear edge 96 forms a central recess or scallop 37which operates to help users maintain power or data cords or the like ina supported centrally located position with respect to the rear edgewhen a device requiring such a cord is used on top surface 17. In theillustrated example the recess or scallop 37 is recessed in from rearedge 96 approximately 2 to 3 inches and takes up approximately half ofthe rear edge 96 in the central portion thereof. Table top member 12 isdimensioned to support two persons to encourage dyadic communications.For instance, to provide sufficient worksurface space for two laptopsand some personal materials, member 12 may have a largest width (e.g.,adjacent rear edge 96) of substantially thirty-four inches and a lengthof substantially twenty-two inches.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, in at least some embodiments, rear panelmember 30 will be formed of bend sheet metal to have the shapeillustrated. In other embodiments panel 30 may be formed using otherrigid material such as plastic. Illustrated panel member 30 includes abase or central wall member, first and second intermediate wall members47 and 49 (see FIG. 6) and first and second lateral wing members 50 and52, respectively. The base member 48 is a substantially flat rectilinearmember having parallel top and bottom edges and having parallel firstand second lateral edges that extend between the top and bottom edges.Intermediate wall members 47 and 49 extend along approximately the tophalf of opposite side edges of central wall member 48 to formsubstantially right angles with wall member 48. Member 30 includescurved or radial corner portions (not labeled) between central wallmember 48 and intermediate wall members 47 and 49. The curved cornerportions extend along the entire length of panel member 30 (see FIG. 8and Figs. generally).

The wing members 50 and 52 are integrally formed with intermediate wallmembers 47 and 49, respectively, and extend from edges of theintermediate wall members 47 and 49 opposite central wall member 48,flaring outward and forward at approximately 30° from intermediate wallmembers 47 and 49.

Referring again to FIG. 8, each of the intermediate wall members 47 and49 forms mounting holes (see 54) and mounting slots (see 56) that arepositioned to align with mechanical fasteners for mounting rear panel 30to upright frame structure 26 as will be described in more detail below.Exemplary panel member 30 extends down to a rear portion of base 20that, like other parts of the frame 26, includes inner and outer membersthat form a gap where the lower edge of member 30 is received in the gap(see again FIG. 1). The lower parts of the curved portions on eitherside of central wall member 48 extend at least somewhat (e.g., onequarter inch) into the gap 27 all the way down to the base portion 20 toeffectively close the frame.

In at least some embodiments panel member 30 may have a height dimensionof substantially seventy inches and in some cases may be anywherebetween sixty-five inches and eighty-two inches. The width of theillustrated panel 30 is generally larger than the width of top member 12(see FIG. 3). Wing members 47 and 49 extend from the top edge of member30 about half way down to the bottom edge. In some embodiments thevertical length of each wing member 47 and 49 is approximatelythirty-six inches.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-8, in at least some embodiments, front panelmember 28 is formed of bent sheet metal to have a shape that issubstantially similar to the shape of the upper portion of rear panelmember 30. To this end, see in FIG. 6 that, upon assembly, front panelmember 28 is located immediately adjacent rear panel member 30 andsubstantially covers the top front surface portion of rear panel 30.Thus, referring specifically to FIG. 8, front panel member 28 includes abase or central member 60, intermediate wall members 57 and 59 and wingmembers 62 and 64 where base member 60 includes top and bottom edges andparallel, lateral or side edges, intermediate wall members 57 a and 59extend from opposite lateral edges of central member 60 at right angles.Wing members 62 and 64 angle forward and outward from front edges ofwall members 57 and 59 opposite wall member 60 to form a shape thatmirrors the shape of panel member 30.

In at least some embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, a fabric material ora fabric covering foam 23 may be provided to cover a front surface(i.e., the surface facing away from rear panel member 30) of front panelmember 28. Here, the fabric cover may wrap around the top, bottom andlateral edges of front panel member 28 and be secured via glue or sometype of mechanical fastener to a rear surface of member 28 so that theedges of the fabric can be sandwiched between panel members 28 and 30upon installation. In at least some embodiments, the portion of thefabric cover between facing surfaces of panel members 28 and 30 will berelatively thin so that facing surfaces of members 28 and 30 areessentially immediately adjacent and may even contact each other (e.g.,members 28 and 30 may flex somewhat upon assembly) after assembly.Intermediate wall members 57 and 59 form mounting holes 63 and slots 65similar to the holes 54 and slots 56 formed by wings 50 and 52 and aligntherewith upon installation.

Referring still to FIG. 8, central wall member 60 forms a hole 72 in amid section as well as a plurality of holes 76 for mounting themulti-media core assembly 120 in a manner to be described in greaterdetail below. A mounting bracket 74 is also mounted to a front surfaceof base member 60 for mounting core assembly 120. Bracket 74 may be asimple upwardly extending and elongated lip member designed anddimensioned to receive a similar downwardly extending lip member (see132 in FIG. 17) extending from the rear of the core assembly 120.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, 6-8 and 10, bridge member 32 is, in atleast some embodiments, formed of bent sheet metal and, as the labelimplies, forms a bridging structure between front panel 28 and anundersurface 21 of table top member 12. As best seen in FIG. 4, bridgemember 32 mounts to undersurface 21 and has a shape that bends downwardadjacent rear edge of top member 12 at an approximately 45° angle andthen bends back in the opposite direction to form a shelf surface 35that is substantially parallel to the portion of member 32 mounted toundersurface 21 and then bends through an approximately 90° angle sothat the distal end extends upward. The distance between rear edge 96 oftop member 12 and the front surface of member 28 is in at least someembodiments, between twelve inches and eighteen inches, so that theshelf surface 35 is amply sized to support a book-bag or the like. Thedistance between front edge 90 of member 12 and the front surface of amounted core 120 is, in at least some embodiments, approximatelythirty-one inches, which it has been determined is a good distance forvideoconferencing. Other front edge to screen distances may be anywherewithin a range between twenty-six inches and thirty-six inches. Thedistal end or edge of bridge member 32 has a shape that complements theshape of the bottom edge of front panel member 28 so that the two edgesgenerally mate. The distal end of bridge member 32 is secured to thebottom edge of panel member 28 in some fashion (e.g., via welding, ormechanical fasteners).

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, bridge member 32 forms an opening formounting power receptacle 42 or a power/data receptacle or outlet boxwithin the angled portion thereof just below the rear edge of top member12 and centrally located with respect to the scallop 37 in rear edge 96.

Although not shown, in at least some embodiments, front panel member 28and bridge member 32 may be integrally formed out of a single piece ofbent sheet metal to simplify the configuration. In the regard, referringto FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, it should be appreciated that bridge member 32 hasa width dimension that is less than the width dimension of the centralportion 60 of front panel member 28 so that member 32 can extend fromthe flat central portion 60 between the curved portions of panel 28 oneither side of central portion 60. Because of its juxtaposition to thecentral and curved portions of panel 28, bridge member 32 does notinterfere with mounting of panel member 28 to the supporting frame 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11, wire management channelforming member 40 is, in at least some embodiments, a molded plasticmember that is shaped to generally mirror the undersurface of bridgemember 32 and to form a central wire management channel 110 therebelow.To this end, see specifically FIG. 11 that shows a top surface 112 ofchannel forming member 140 that is contoured to mirror the shape of theundersurface of bridge member 32 where a channel 110 is formed in thecentral portion of surface 112. A mounting portion 114 of surface 112 isflat and is designed to abut the undersurface of member 32 below thetable top member 12 (see again FIG. 4). At opposite ends of the channel110, member 40 forms a table pedestal opening 116 and a second opening118. Opening 116 is aligned with an internal portion of pedestal 18 (seeagain FIGS. 3 and 4) so that power and/or data cables may be run upthough pedestal member 18 and into the channel 110 to link to outlet box42 and/or to run up through the panel assembly 28, 30 in a manner to bedescribed in more detail below to provide power to the core assembly120. Opening 118 allows wires or cables to pass from channel 110 intothe panel structure 28, 30.

Referring now to FIG. 10, front panel member 28 has a rear surface 100that forms a channel 102 that extends from opening 72 down to the bottomedge of member 28. The channel 102 may be formed in various waysincluding via a simple routing procedure whereby material is removedfrom rear surface 100. Channel 102 should be dimensioned such that powerand/or data cables that have to be run up to the core assembly 120 canfit within the channel 102 without standing proud thereof. A secondchannel 104 is routed or otherwise formed in a rear surface of member 32where the second channel 104 is aligned, after assembly, with channel102, so that the wires or cables in channel 102 can extend down throughthe second channel 104 and into the channel 110 formed by member 40.

Although not shown in other embodiments, instead of forming channel 102in the rear surface of panel member 28, a similar channel could beformed in the front surface of panel member 30. In still otherembodiments, aligned and mirrored channels could be formed in the facingsurfaces of members 28 and 30 that together provide the depth requiredto accommodate assembly cables/wires. In still other embodiments,referring to FIG. 6, it may be that the relative dimensions of the panelmembers 28, 30 are such that when panel member 28 is mounted adjacentmember 30, interference between facing surfaces of wing members of thetwo panel members 28 and 30 causes a slight gap (not illustrated) tooccur between facing surfaces of central portions 48 and 60. Here,cables/wires would pass through the gap between the facing surfaces.

In still other embodiments, a three layer shroud assembly iscontemplated wherein a central layer may include an opening thatoperates to form a channel when the central layer is sandwiched betweenthe other two layers. In this regard see FIG. 49 that shows an exemplarycentral layer 800 that has a shape similar to the shape of member 28,albeit forming an opening 802 having the shape of the channel 102. Thethree layers or shroud members would mount to frame 26 in a fashionsimilar to that described with respect to the two member shrouddescribed herein.

To construct assembly 10, referring to FIG. 9, all of the frame and basecomponents shown in FIG. 9 except for bushings 69 a and 69 c and topframe member 70 can be assembled using mechanical fasteners and footmembers 24 and foot rest member 22 can be assembled, also usingmechanical fasteners. Next, with bushings 69 a and 69 c as well as topmember 70 removed, power and/or data cables are passed through opening72 (see FIG. 8) and are placed within channel 102 (see FIG. 10). Panelmember 28 is positioned adjacent panel member 30 with one end of thepower/data cables extending from opening 72 and the other end extendingpast the bottom edge of member 28. At this point, openings 54 and 63 andslots 56 and 65 are aligned. Bushings 69 a and 69 c can be placed withinthe aligned openings 54 and 63 and the subassembly may be slid down intogap 27 (see again FIG. 3) until the slots 56 and 65 contact and aresupported by upper ends of bushings 69 b and 69 d (see FIG. 9) and thelower edge of rear panel member 30 is supported in the gap formed by therear portion of base 20 (see again FIG. 1). Next, top frame member 70 isslid down over the top of the already assembled structure so that endsthereof align with bushings 69 a and 69 c. Screws or bolts or othermechanical fasteners are used to the bushings 69 a and 69 c and framecomponents together. Pedestal 18 is mounted to base 20 and channelforming member 40 is mounted to the top end of pedestal 18. Power and/ordata cables are fished through pedestal 18 and opening 116 into channel110 (see FIG. 11). The cables that extend out opening 72 are connectedto the cables in channel 110. Receptacle 42 (see FIG. 6) is connected toa power cable in channel 110. Bridge member 32 is secured to the topsurface 112 of member 40 after receptacle 42 is mounted in thereceptacle opening formed by member 32. Top member 12 is mounted to thetop mounting surface 33 of bridge member 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 21, an exemplary multi-media coreassembly 120 is illustrated that may be mounted to assembly 10 as shownin FIG. 2. In at least some embodiments, core assembly 120 includes, inaddition to a flat panel display screen, other multi-media componentssuch as speakers and a camera. The idea behind the core assembly is thatall of the multi-media components that form the core will be housed inan elegant housing structure so the core assembly can be mounted andmoved together as a single assembly to any substantially verticalupright wall surface or support structure. Thus, while core assembly 120is shown mounted to the front surface of member 28 in FIG. 2, it shouldbe appreciated that core assembly 120 could be used in many otherapplications to provide similar functionality. For instance, coreassembly 20 may simply be mounted to a convention wall in an open floorplan facility.

In addition, the illustrated core assembly 120 includes componentsmounted substantially within the housing structure that includes themulti-media components that enables height adjustment of the coreassembly to accommodate users of different heights in an optimalfashion. The height adjustability of the core assembly is particularlyadvantageous in the case of videoconferencing systems where eye-to-eyecontact between conferees is important.

Referring specifically to FIG. 18, assembly 120 includes a frame member122, a mounting plate 130, first and second pre-loaded springsubassemblies 140 a and 140 b, respectively, an internal shell structure150, a vesa mounting plate 190, an power strip 194, a speaker type audiobox 192, an internal frame member 196, a flat panel display including acamera 198 and a glass cover member 124.

Referring also to FIGS. 17, 19 and 20, internal shell structure 150forms several different compartments in which many of the other coreassembly components are installed. Structure 150 forms a large chamberor compartment 128 that opens to a front side. The walls that formcompartment 128 include various features that are formed to facilitatemounting of other components. For example, a flat central surface 122 isformed for mounting vesa plate 190 via four bolts or screws. Displayscreen 198 is mounted to vesa plate 190 in a manner well known in theart to secure display 198 within compartment 128. In addition, powerstrip 194 and audio box 192 are mounted to an internal surface of abottom wall 108 within compartment 128. A lower wall of shell structure150 forms a plurality of openings (at 108) to form a screen just belowwhere audio box 192 mounts once installed. The holes 108 allow soundfrom audio box to emanate from within compartment 128.

Referring to FIG. 20, a rear surface 200 of shell structure 150 forms aplurality of chambers or compartments 202, 203 and 204 for receivingvarious assembly components. Specifically, preload spring or heightadjustment subassemblies 140 a and 140 b are mounted within chambers 202and 204, respectively, via top and bottom mounting plates 201 and 221(only two labeled). A power receptacle mount shelf 133 that extends frommounting plate 130 extends into chamber 203 after assembly.

Referring again to FIG. 18, spring subassemblies 140 a and 140 b aresimilarly constructed and operate in a similar fashion. Each ofassemblies 140 a and 140 b includes a gas spring 205 (see FIG. 20).Exemplary spring 205 includes a spring rod 207 extending from a housing209 where housing 209 remains stationary with respect to shell 150 afterinstallation and rod 207 moves in a telescopic fashion with respect tohousing 209 during core height adjustment. To this end, a distal end ofrod 207 mounts via a connector bracket 213 to mounting bracket 130 sothat bracket 130 moves along with the distal end of the rod 207. Eachassembly 140 a and 140 b also includes a guide rod 243 that extendsbetween plates 201 and 221 and bracket 130 mounts to two cylindricalguide sleeves 245 and 247 that slide along rod 243 during core heightadjustment. The gas springs are preloaded to ensure that core 120 staysat the location at which it is set until purposefully moved by a user.After assembly, shell structure 150 and components mounted thereto movewith respect to mounting plate 130 as the height of the core assembly ischanged by a user.

Plate 130 is formed of sheet metal and a portion is cut out and bent ina forward direction to form power receptacle mount shelf 133 and opening131. As described above, shelf 133 is formed so that, upon assembly, theshelf 133 aligns with chamber 203 (see FIG. 20). As shell 150 andcomponents mounted thereto move with respect to plate 130, shelf 133remains stationary with chamber 203 moving up and down relative to shelf133 so that the shelf 133 does not obstruct movement of the other corecomponents. As best seen in FIG. 17, a power outlet connection 156 ismounted to shelf 133.

Also shown in FIG. 17, bracket 132 is provided on a rear surface ofmounting plate 130. Bracket 132 is configured to cooperate with bracket74 (see again FIG. 8) that is mounted on the front surface of panel 28or to some other bracket similar to bracket 74 to maintain core assembly120 in a supported position. Exemplary bracket 74 comprises an upwardlyextending lip along its length while bracket 132 comprises a downwardlyextending lip sized and dimensioned to cooperate in a coupling fashion.Additional bolts or screws (not shown or labeled) pass through plateholes 117 and into holes 76 (see FIG. 8) to secure plate 130 to frontpanel member 28. Holes 115 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) enable access to holes117 for installing mounting screws after core assembly 150 istemporarily mounted to member 28 are brackets 74 and 132.

Referring again to FIG. 18, frame member 122 includes a generallyrectangular side wall member 170 that, upon installation, frames theexternal side surfaces of shell structure 150 and a rear lip member 174that extends inward to form a flange around a rear rectilinear opening172 formed by member 122. An internal surface of flange 174 forms amounting surface for mounting frame member 122 to the rear surface 200of shell structure 150 via screws, bolts or other types of mechanicalfasteners. The side wall 170 of frame member 122 extends forwardadjacent the external surface of the side wall that forms shellstructure 150 and flares out slightly therefrom when moving in theforward direction so that a space or gap exists between facing sidewalls of member 170 and structure 150.

Referring yet again to FIG. 18, after display 198 is mounted via plate190 within shell structure 150, frame 196 is installed on the forwardfacing rim of shell structure 150 to provide a mounting surface forglass cover member 124. Member 124 is adhered to a front facing surfaceof frame 196 to provide a completely smooth and seamless front surfaceto the core assembly 120. Prior to installing glass cover 124, a silkscreening or other similar type process may be used to apply a black orother colored layer 126 to the rear surface of glass cover member 124 inareas of the glass cover member that are not aligned with the displayscreen 198 to thereby hide the internal components and structuralfeatures within the shell structure 150.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 12 and 13, the glass cover 124 isdimensioned such that, after installation, a gap 128 is formed betweenthe outer edge of glass member 124 and the adjacent and facing edge offrame member 122. In at least some embodiments, the gap 128 may beapproximately 1 inch while in other embodiments the gap 128 may rangebetween ¼ inch and 2 inches. Gap 128 allows sound from audio box 192 toreverberate and exit the core assembly directionally toward a personstanding in front of the core assembly 120.

Referring now to FIG. 21, after core assembly 120 is mounted to asupport structure via mounting plate 130 (see again FIG. 17), a user canchange the height of core assembly 120 by simply grasping frame member122 and raising or lowering assembly 120 as desired. The gas springs inthe spring subassemblies 140 a and 140 b should assist the user inchanging the height of the assembly so that very little effort isrequired.

In FIG. 21, core assembly 120 is shown in a relatively high position andis shown in phantom at 120 a in a relatively low position after heightadjustment. In some embodiments the range of height travel may beapproximately eight inches while in other embodiments the range may beanywhere from four to sixteen inches.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a furniture configuration 250 that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention isillustrated. Configuration 250 includes a lounge assembly 260 and alounge height core support assembly 270 that is specifically configuredfor use with lounge assembly 260 or other similar structures. Referringalso to FIGS. 23 through 28, lounge assembly 260 includes a loungesubassembly 240 and a arch sub assembly 272. The lounge subassembly 240includes a backrest support structure 282 which is rigidly secured to aseat support structure 284. Although not shown in detail, structures 282and 284 may be formed of plywood wrapped in foam and covered with afabric material. In at least some embodiments, all but the undersurfaceof lounge subassembly 240 is covered with fabric and foam material.Height adjustable foot assemblies 278 are mounted to the undersurface oflounge subassembly 240 and each of assemblies 278 can be independentlyadjusted to compensate for undulations in a support floor. In at leastsome embodiments lounge subassembly 240 will have a width dimension ofapproximately fifty-eight inches.

Arch subassembly 272 includes a plurality of components including atechnology ribbon 276, an arch substructure 290, a foam layer 291, and arear screen subassembly 274. Arch substructure 290 is formed of rigidsheet material such as bent sheet metal, plywood or particle board, thatincludes a plurality of generally planar members that are securedtogether along edges by rounded corner pieces to form an arch structure.The overall structure includes first and second sidewall members 296 and297, respectively, a ceiling member 290, and first and second bottommounting flanges 300 and 302, respectively.

Sidewall members 296 and 297 are generally vertically upright andparallel members and include a substantially straight and vertical frontedge and a rear edge that diverges away from the front edge when movingfrom the bottom end toward a top end up to about the height of the topsurface of the seat structure 284 at which point the rear edges convergetoward the front edge 313 until the rear edges reach the ceiling member.The ceiling member is generally a rectangular member and traverses thedistance between rounded corner portions that connect the top ends ofsidewall members 296 and 297. Flanges 300 and 302 extend from the bottomedges of wall members 296 and 297 at essentially right angles and extendtoward each other to form mounting flanges for mounting archsubstructure 290 to an undersurface of lounge subassembly 240 (see FIG.27) via mechanical fasteners (e.g. bolts, screws, etc.) which are notillustrated.

Referring still to FIG. 28, arch substructure 290 forms a recessedchannel 295 along an internal surface and adjacent the front edge ofeach of the ceiling member 290, the sidewall members 296 and 297 and atleast one of the mounting flanges 300 and 302. Channel 295 is providedfor receiving at least a portion of the technology ribbon 276 which willbe described in greater detail below. Referring also to FIG. 32, ceilingmember 290 forms a larger recess or channel 380 which receives part ofthe ribbon 276 and also may provide space for other components such asan audio box 292 including speakers, and amplifier, etc., asillustrated.

Arch substructure 290, in at least some embodiments, will have a heightof approximately sixty-six inches although other heights in the rangebetween sixty and seventy-two inches are contemplated.

Referring again to FIG. 28, arch foam 291 is a material structure whichis provided to increase sound insulation within the space defined by thearch subassembly 272. To this end, arch foam 291 has a shape similar tothe shape of arch substructure 290 and may be applied to an externalsurface thereof. Foam 291 forms a slot or slit 294 along the internalportion of sidewall members thereof which aligns with channel 295 formedby substructure 290 after assembly. Slot 294 only extends part way downeach of the sidewall portions of foam 291 so that after technologyribbon 276 has been installed, the entire slot 294 along the sidewallportions is hidden. Referring again to FIG. 32, foam 291 also forms alarge opening 382 aligned with channel 380 on the under surface portionof the ceiling portion thereof. Fabric cover 371 is secured to foamlayer 291 and, in at least some embodiments, is selected to “glow” orreflect light shone thereon to “fill” the arch space with light,particularly during videoconferencing.

Referring once again to FIG. 28, rear screen subassembly 274 is a rigidstructure that forms a back wall of the arch subassembly 272. To thisend, rear screen 274 may be formed of plywood, bent sheet metal, rigidplastic, particleboard, etc. Exemplary screen 274 includes a relativelylarge rectilinear planer member 286 that has a shape similar to theshape defined by the upper portion of arch substructure 290 as best seenin FIG. 25 so that member 286 can substantially block a person's viewinto the space defined by the substructure 290 when the person islocated to the rear of the assembly 260. Screen 274 also includes alower member 288 integrally formed with rectilinear member 286 that hasa shape similar to the bottom edge portion of the arch substructure. Alip 289 extends forward from bottom and side edges of lower member 288.Screen 274 is mounted to the lower edge portion of arch substructure 290to extend upwards to the rear of lounge subassembly 240 after assembly.

Referring to FIG. 24, after installation, the lip 289 operates as aspacer between the top portion of the rear edge of structure 290 and afacing surface of screen 274 so that a gap 267 (e.g., one to fiveinches) is formed. Gap 267 affords a person seated on lounge 240 a senseof their surroundings as the person has the ability to perceive otherpersons adjacent arch 260 while still providing a certain amount ofprivacy. Although not shown, a fabric cover or foam and fabric cover mayalso be provided for screen 274 for sound deadening as well as toprovide a desired appearance.

Referring again to FIGS. 22 through 28, while assembly 260 is describedabove as including opaque materials and as being covered by fabric, inat least some embodiments, arch assembly 260 may be formed ofsemi-transparent material to provide privacy yet further enhance a senseof a user's surroundings. Here, for instance, the subassembly 260 may beconstructed of or at least include portions constructed of a materialhaving the translucency of a milk carton so that a person located withinthe arch defined space could perceive presence of another personadjacent the space without the person outside the space seeing anydetail inside the space. In other cases screen 274 may besemi-transparent while the arch substructure 290 is opaque.

Referring again to FIGS. 22, 23 and 28 as well as to FIGS. 29-32,exemplary technology ribbon 276 is a rigid or semi-rigid assembly thatincludes a ribbon structure member 275 (see FIG. 31), a light source 350and an audio or speaker component/box 292 (see FIG. 32). Referringspecifically to FIGS. 30 through 32, ribbon structural member 375 is arigid or semi-rigid member formed of molded plastic or a more rigidmaterial that includes a central member 374 and first and second legmembers 372 and 376 that extend generally at right angles from oppositeends of central member 374 in the same direction. In general, the shapedefined by central member 374 and leg members 372 and 376 mirrors theshape defined by the internal surface of arch substructure 290 (see FIG.20) adjacent the upper portion of channel 295 (see also FIG. 29).

Each leg member 372 and 376 has a similar cross section. Referring toFIG. 30, leg member 372 has a cross section that includes a mountingblock portion 360 and an integrally formed extension portion 377.Mounting block portion 360 is shaped to be received within channel 295formed by arch substructure 290. With block portion 360 received inchannel 295, extension portion 277 extends a short distance (e.g., 1-3inches) out of channel 295 and into the space defined by arch assembly260. Block portion 360 and extension portion 377 together form a concavereflecting surface 352 that generally faces rearward away from frontedge 313 of assembly 260. After assembly, a portion of reflectingsurface 352 is located within channel 295 and a portion of surface 352is located outside of channel 295 and opens rearward away from frontedge 313.

Light source 350 is mounted inside channel 295 and relative toreflecting surface 352 such that light from the light source 350 isreflected one or more times off surface 352 and emanates from member 372generally rearward. Some of the reflected light subtends the internalsurface 317 of assembly 260 causing surface 317 to light up. Otherreflected light simply lights up persons within the arch defined space.Where surface 317 is a light color (e.g., white), the lit up surface 317increases the amount of light shown on arch occupants by effectivelyfilling the arch space with light. To this end, the fabric used to formcover 371 should be selected to have properties capable of extendinglight shown thereon.

In at least some embodiments light source 350 may include an array orline of LEDs mounted to an internal wall 362 of channel 295 orintegrally mounted to member 375 for simultaneous installation withmember 372. Power is provided to light source 350 via a cable/wire thatpasses through the lower portion of channel 295 (see FIG. 28) which ishidden after assembly by layer 291. Surface 352 may be coated with asilver or other colored layer to increase reflectivity. In addition, insome cases a diffusing layer or member may be provided adjacent lightsource 350 to diffuse the source light to minimize or eliminate “hotspot” of light on surface 317 (e.g., the light pattern becomes moreuniform).

Referring now to FIGS. 31 and 32, central ribbon member 374 has a shapethat is similar to the shape of leg member 372 shown in FIG. 30, themain difference being that the portion of member 374 extending from thechannel formed by substructure 290 is enlarged to form a shelf member.In this regard, member 374 includes a mounting block portion 384 and anextending portion 379 that is integrally formed therewith. Block portion384 is shaped and dimensioned to be received in large channel 380 formedin the underface of the top member 296 of substructure 290 near frontedge 313. Member 379 extends from member 384 out into the arch definedspace and forms a top surface 376 that forms a shelf. Audio box 292 ispositioned on or mounted to the top shelf surface 376 and, in at leastsome cases, may extend at least partially into channel 380 thereabove.In some cases, perforations (not shown) may be formed in member 379 toallow sound to emanate downward from box 292. Box 292 or some otherdedicated component within ribbon 276 may also include one or moremicrophones to capture voices in the arch space duringvideoconferencing. In addition, the side wall members 296 and 297 mayinclude or form additional relatively large chambers akin to compartment380 (see again FIG. 32) for housing additional speakers, microphones orother components.

While no light devices are shown in FIG. 32, in at least someembodiments an inner surface of member 374 may be reflective and a lightsource may be provided in channel 380 for increasing the light withinthe arch defined space.

Ribbon 276 may be mounted to substructure 290 in any manner. Forinstance, ribbon 276 may be adhered into the channels formed bysubstructure 290. As another instance mechanical fasteners (e.g.,screws, Velcro, etc.) may be used to secure ribbon 276. AS still oneother instance, the components described may be dimensions to create afriction fit. Sources other than LEDs may be employed includingfluorescent sources, incandescent sources, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 29, it should be appreciated that after ribbon 276is installed, when the light sources are on, light therefrom washesinternal arch surface 317 and indirectly thereby lighting up any personswithin the arch space. In addition, at least some of the light willilluminate the front surface of screen member 274 (see FIG. 28).

Referring again to FIG. 22 and now also to FIGS. 33-39, core supportassembly 270 has a construction similar to assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1.To this end, assembly 270 includes a plurality of components that form aframe structure 322 and a panel subassembly 320, 400 that is mounted tothe frame 322 to form a core receiving space. The primary differencebetween assembly 270 and assembly 10 are dimensional and related to thefact that assembly 270 does not include a table subassembly.

Regarding dimensions, because assembly 270 is intended to be used by aperson or persons seated on lounge 240 (see FIG. 22), assembly 270 isgenerally not as tall as assembly 10. For instance, the top edge ofpanel member 320 may be approximately sixty-six inches. In at least somecases, a single core assembly (120 in FIG. 12) may be used with eitherof assemblies 10 and 270 and therefore width dimensions of assemblies 10and 170 may be identical or similar.

Referring still to FIGS. 22 and 33-39, instead of including a table top12 as in FIG. 1, assembly 270 forms a bottom shelf structure 404 forsupporting a bookbag, brief case, or other user accessories. Becauseassembly 270 does not include a table subassembly as in FIG. 1, the basefootprint of assembly 270 is smaller. To increase stability in at leastsome cases weights 421 (see FIG. 39) are provided below member 404 tolower the center of mass of assembly 270.

Referring to FIGS. 33-34, frame 322 is constructed using a plurality ofelongated members and bushings to form a base structure 402 and asubstantially vertical upright structure 405 that extends upwards fromthe base structure 407. Upright frame structure 405, like frame 26described above, includes an inner frame structure 412 and an outer orexternal frame structure 410 that frames the inner structure 412 butthat is spaced apart therefrom to form an elongated gap 414 therebetween. Bushings (see exemplary bushing 419 in FIG. 39) are providedbetween the frame structures 410 and 412 to help define and maintain gap414. A top frame member 420 can be removed as shown in FIG. 39 toinstall the panel subassembly 320, 400 in a fashion similar to thatdescribed above with respect to the FIG. 1 assembly 10.

With the exception of dimensions, panel member 320 is similar to panelmember 30 described above and therefore panel member 320 will not bedescribed here in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and 39, inner or second panel member 400 has alength dimension similar to panel member 320 so that member 400 extendsall the way down to the rear portion of base 407 and has a lower edge409 that is received, along with a lower edge of member 320, in a gapformed by the base structure 407 upon assembly. Member 400 forms a cablepassing opening 431 that passes through between front and rear surfacesthereof. Although no shown, member 400 forms a channel akin to channel102 in FIG. 10 in a rear surface that extends from opening 431 to bottomedge 409.

Base 407 has a generally rectangular shape and includes members thatcontinue the dual-frame appearance of structure 405. Brackets 451 (seeFIG. 39) extend inward from an inner surface of the base 407 and form aseat for member 404. Weights 421 are connected to brackets 451 or otherstructure to secure the weights 421 to the base 407. Shelf member 404 isa rigid substantially rectilinear member dimensioned to fill the spacewithin the portion of the frame 322 forming the base 407. Shelf member404 rests on top surfaces of brackets 451 and forms a top surface 406for supporting bags, cases, accessories, etc.

A retaining member 402 is provided on a side of member 404 oppositepanel member 400. Retaining member 402 is mechanically fastened withinthe gap 414 formed by the front portion of base 407. Member 402 may forma bend so that the portion of member 402 outside the gap 414 can angleforward (see FIG. 35) away from member 400 from bottom to top. Whilemember 402 may include a single piece of material (e.g., a piece ofsheet metal), in some embodiments member 402 will include two membershaving characteristics similar to panel members 400 and 320 so that theassembly 270 has a consistent appearance. For instance, member 402 mayinclude two pieces of sheet metal where one piece is wrapped in a fabriccover and the two pieces have facing contacting or rear contactingsurfaces.

Foot members or assemblies 328 are provide that are independently heightadjustable. Assemblies 38 are mounted to an undersurface of base 407.

Referring now to FIG. 40, to increase illumination of a person orpersons using a standing assembly 500 similar to assembly 10 in FIG. 1described above (e.g. to enhance videoconferencing appearance), in atleast some embodiments it is contemplated that the rear panel member 30in FIG. 1 above may be replaced with a rear member 502 that forms acanopy 504 in addition to the other structural members. Referring alsoto FIG. 41, canopy 504 is simply an extension of rear panel member 502which extends upward and then angles forward (e.g., at a 45 degree anglewith vertical) to form an angled reflecting surface 512. A light source(e.g., LED string, fluorescent bulbs, etc.) is mounted to front panelmember 506 to shine light up and on to reflecting surface 512. Thereflected light is directed forward of surface 512 to illuminate aperson or persons standing adjacent table top 509.

In other embodiments both the front and rear panel members 506 and 502may form canopy extensions 504 to maintain a uniform appearance. Afabric cover may be provided over a front panel member and over canopy504 if desired. In some embodiments it is contemplated that canopy 504may be an add on component that can be mechanically fastened to a panelassembly. While light device 510 is shown mounted to the front surfaceof member 506, in other embodiments device 510 may be mounted to the topframe member 517. Referring again to FIGS. 40 and 41 canopy 504 extendsfrom the top of the central and planar portion 513 of panel member 502and therefore will not interfere with frame 511 during installation. Acanopy akin to canopy 504 may also be provided for assembly 270 shown inFIG. 33.

Referring now to FIG. 42, a view similar to the view of the loungeassembly shown in FIG. 23 is illustrated, albeit where a bolster 600 hasbeen added to the assembly 260. Bolster 600 provides an arm rest andstorage space to a lounge user. Bolster 600, in at least some cases,also provides power receptacles for use by a lounge user and may providedata hook-ups or cables as well. Referring also to FIGS. 43 and 44,exemplary bolster 600 includes a molded rigid housing structure 602, acushion member 604 and power receptacles 606. Housing structure 602forms a number of compartments including a receptacle compartment 610, acushion receiving compartment 612, a storage compartment 614 and a wiremanagement compartment 616. Receptacle compartment 610 is a rectilinearcompartment that forms two receptacle openings in each of two oppositeside wall members (only one pair shown in FIG. 43) in which powerreceptacles 606 are mounted. Compartment 612 is formed above compartment610 and is shallow for receiving an arm rest cushion 604 as shown.Compartment 612 overhangs forward and to the lateral sides ofcompartment 610 so that receptacles 606 are somewhat hidden belowcushion 604. The overhangs also provide some clearance for power cableconnector heads adjacent the receptacles. Storage compartment 614 isrearward of compartments 612 and 610 and forms an upwardly openingcavity 630 for storing small items such as a phone, post its, pencils,etc. A false floor member 615 separates compartments 614 and 616 sopower cables can pass out of compartment 610 rearward as illustrated inphantom in FIG. 44 below member 615.

Referring still to FIGS. 42 through 44, a rigid flange 620 is integrallyformed with housing 602 and extends rearward from a lower edge thereof.Flange 620 is formed to mirror structure between a lounge bed rest 240and a lounge seat structure 284 (see again FIG. 42).

In some cases flange 620 can be received between assemblies 240 and 284to at least loosely mechanically couple bolster 600 to the loungeassembly 260. In other cases flange forms mounting holes 621 that can beused to mechanically fasten (e.g., via screws) bolster 600 to the loungestructure.

Referring now to FIGS. 45 and 46, another assembly 500 havingcharacteristics that are consistent with at least some aspects of thepresent invention is illustrated. In FIG. 45, two displays 502 and 504are mounted to an upright totem 506 adjacent a worksurface 510. Here, arear panel member 512 extends upward and angles forward to form a canopy514 for reflecting light forward of the totem structure 506. At lightsource 516 is mounted below a reflecting surface of a canopy 514.

In addition, a camera 530 is mounted to a track 532 for sliding movementbetween different locations generally along a lower edge of the displayscreens 502 and 504. Track 532 is mechanically secured to a frame 540 orto other totem components. The camera 530 is positioned so that thecamera is at a height where it is at least partially in front of atleast one of screens 502 and 504 at some point along its travel alongtrack 532. More specifically, camera 530 is moveable on track 532 to becentered with respect to at least one of displays 502 and 504 and residein front of a lower portion of the display to at least somewhat obstructa persons view of the lower part of the display when the person ispositioned on a side of worksurface 510 opposite the display. It hasbeen determined that it is particularly advantageous to have a camerapositioned to obstruct view of a display for creating video of a localuser during videoconferencing to generate video that helps conferees tohave the illusion of direct eye-to-eye contact. When assembly 500 is notbeing used for videoconferencing, camera 530 can be moved on track 532to a location where there is no obstruction of the view of eitherdisplay 502 or 504 (e.g., between the displays in some cases). Camerascan be moved, in some embodiments, to locations in front of eitherdisplay 502 and 504 (see phantom in FIG. 45).

While a track is shown in FIG. 46, it should be appreciated that othermechanical camera support structure is contemplated. For instance, anarm assembly mounted below one or both screens 502 and 504 may supportcamera 530 for videoconference use in which the camera is at leastpartially in front of one of the displays and other uses in which thecamera 530 can be moved to a stored position. In addition, the track orother mechanical support structure and camera may be provided alongother display edges including the top or side edges.

Referring now to FIG. 47, a subassembly 580 that may be substituted forsome of the components shown in FIG. 20 is illustrated. Assembly 580includes a core mounting plate 130 akin to plate 130 in FIG. 20 andincludes a motor 582, threaded shaft 584 and threaded adjustment nut 586where motor 582, shaft 584 and nut 586 take the place of one of the gassprings 205 in FIG. 20. Not shown in FIG. 47 are the guide rods 243 andguide sleeves 245 and 247 or the assembly 140 a that would be includedin the FIG. 47 embodiment. Motor 582 includes threaded shaft 584extending therefrom and would be mounted via brackets 590 and 592 to oneof the surfaces forming chamber 204 (see FIG. 20 again). Nut 586 wouldbe mounted to plate 130 via a bracket 594 so that nut 586 is stationaryrelative to plate 130. When motor 582 rotates shaft 584, thread 586which is held stationary by plate 130, moves along shaft 584 causing thecore assembly height to change. Although not shown, a core height adjustbutton for controlling motor 582 and core height may be provided eitheron the core or at some other location on either a core supportstructure, a table adjacent the core or within the exemplary loungeassembly described above.

While embodiments described above require a core user to adjust theheight of the display screen, in at least some embodiments it iscontemplated that screen height may automatically be adjusted by aprocessor associated with the core 120. For instance, a processor may beprogrammed to use videoconferencing images of remote and local confereesto identify facial features (e.g., eyes) in each image and to thenadjust the core height automatically to substantially align conferee'seyes. An exemplary process 700 for automatically adjusting core heightis shown in FIG. 48. At block 702, a system processor receives images oflocal and remote users. At block 704, the processor senses the locationsof user's eyes in the obtained images. At block 706, the processorautomatically adjusts the height of the core in an attempt to align theconferee's eyes. Here, hysteresis can be built into the system so thatcore height is not changed often or the system may be set to requiresome signal from a local user to adjust the core height to avoid aconstantly changing core height as conferees move with respect tocameras obtaining video. Where two local conferees are present during avideoconference, the processor may be programmed to set core height toan average height where the remote user's image appears with the remoteuser's eyes at a height between the height of the two local conferees.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown, other than as describedin the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claimsbelow.

Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the following appended claims. For example, referring to FIG.50, one or more support brackets 820 (only one shown) may be provided tosecure a top edge of screen member 274 to an adjacent portion ofsubstructure 290 to provide screen stability. In FIG. 50 one bracket 820is shown but two may be provided, one at each upper corner of screen 274(see FIG. 28). As another example, referring again to FIG. 6, whilereceptacle 42 is described as a power receptacle or power strip, itshould be appreciated that data connecting receptacles may also beprovided at 42. For instance, a receptacle for receiving a connection toa laptop or the like may be provide at 42 so that the laptop can belinked to the display screen that forms part of a core assembly 120 (seeagain FIG. 2) supported by the assembly 10. Similarly, referring againto FIG. 43, bolster 600 may include data connections at 606 for linkinga laptop or the like to a display included in a core assembly supportedadjacent a lounge assembly as best shown in FIG. 22.

To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the followingclaims are made:

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitor support assembly comprising: a supportframe including: (i) a first elongated frame member forming a firstsurface; and (ii) a second elongated frame member forming a secondsurface, the second frame member supported adjacent and parallel to thefirst frame member with the first surface facing the second surface andforming an elongated gap; a panel assembly including: (i) a first panelmember having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rearsurfaces; and (ii) a second panel member having oppositely facingsubstantially parallel front and rear surfaces, the second panel membersupported adjacent the first panel member with the front surface of thefirst panel member facing the rear surface of the second panel member;the panel assembly supported within the gap by the first and secondframe members with the front surface of the second panel member and therear surface of the first panel member adjacent and facing the first andsecond surfaces of the first and second frame members that form the gap,the panel assembly extending laterally to either side of the gap; and atleast a first electronic display mounted to and supported adjacent thefront surface of the second panel member.
 2. The assembly of claim 1wherein the first electronic display includes a power cable and whereina channel is formed between the front surface of the first panel memberand the rear surface of the second panel member, the power cable linkedto the electronic display passing from the electronic display throughthe channel.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second panel memberforms a hole that passes from the front surface of the second panelmember to the rear surface of the second panel member, the hole alignedwith the channel and the power line passing through the hole into thechannel.
 4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of the frontsurface of the first panel member and the rear surface of the secondpanel member is recessed from adjacent portions of the surface to formthe channel.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the rear surface of thesecond panel member forms the recess that forms the channel.
 6. Theassembly of claim 5 wherein the rear surface of the second panel ispressed against the front surface of the first panel member.
 7. Theassembly of claim 5 wherein the first and second facing surfaces of thefirst and second elongated members compress the second panel memberagainst the first panel member with the rear surface of the second panelmember contacting the front surface of the first panel member along atleast portions of the rear and front surfaces of the second and firstpanel members, respectively.
 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein thesecond panel member includes a substantially rigid structural memberforming a circumferential edge and a fabric cover that extends acrossthe front surface of the structural member and that wraps around thecircumferential edge, the edges of the fabric cover sandwiched betweenthe facing rear surface of the second panel member and the front surfaceof the first panel member.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each ofthe first and second panel members is formed of bent sheet metal. 10.The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of the first and second panelmembers is substantially flat within the gap and forms at least one bendadjacent the gap, the at least one bend of the second panel membermirroring the at least one bend of the first panel member.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10 wherein each of the first and second panel membersforms a bend to either side of the gap.
 12. The assembly of claim 1further including at least one bushing mounted between the first andsecond elongated frame members within the gap that forms an upwardlyfacing surface, each of the first and second panel members forming anopening having a downwardly facing surface that is received on theupwardly facing surface to support the panel member within the gap. 13.The assembly of claim 12 wherein the openings formed by the panelmembers are holes.
 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated gapis a first elongated gap, the frame assembly further includes third andfourth elongated frame members that form third and fourth surfaces,respectively, the third frame member supported adjacent and parallel tothe fourth frame member with the third surface facing the fourth surfaceand forming a second elongated gap, the panel assembly further supportedwithin the second elongated gap by the third and fourth frame memberswith the front surface of the second panel member and the rear surfaceof the first panel member adjacent and facing the third and fourthsurfaces of the first and second frame members that form the secondelongated gap, respectively, the panel assembly extending laterally toeither side of the second elongated gap.
 15. The assembly of claim 14wherein the first and second elongated gaps are formed in differentparallel planes.
 16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first panelmember has a circumferential edge and wherein lateral portions of thecircumferential edge are exposed on opposite sides of the frame members.17. The assembly of claim 1 further including a table top membersupported by the support frame adjacent the front surface of the secondpanel member.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 further including a shelfmember supported at a height below a top surface of the table top memberand between the table top member and the second panel member.
 19. Apanel assembly comprising: a support frame including: (i) a first framestructure forming at least first and second elongated surfaces thatreside in different first and second planes, respectively; and (ii) asecond frame structure forming at least first and second elongatedsurfaces that are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from thefirst and second elongated surfaces formed by the first frame structureto form first and second elongated mounting gaps that extend along thedifferent first and second planes, respectively; a panel assemblyincluding at least a first substantially rigid and integrally formedpanel member having oppositely facing front and rear surfaces, the panelassembly supported within each of the first and second elongatedmounting gaps and extending to either side of each of the first andsecond mounting gaps with a central portion of the panel assemblyextending between the first and second mounting gaps, a first wingportion extending from the first mounting gap to a side opposite thecentral portion and terminating in a first exposed panel edge portionand a second wing portion extending from the second mounting gap to aside opposite the central portion and terminating in a second exposedpanel edge portion.
 20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of thefirst and second elongated mounting gaps extends substantiallyvertically, the central portion of the panel assembly forming at least afirst curve between the elongated mounting gaps.
 21. The assembly ofclaim 20 wherein the portions of the panel assembly within the first andsecond elongated mounting gaps are substantially parallel.
 22. Theassembly of claim 21 wherein the central portion of the panel assemblyincludes a substantially flat wall portion and first and second curvedportions between the flat wall portion and the portions of the panelassembly within the first and second elongated mounting gaps.
 23. Theassembly of claim 22 wherein the flat wall portion is substantiallyperpendicular to the portions of the panel assembly within the first andsecond elongated mounting gaps.
 24. The assembly of claim 19 wherein thepanel member is formed of bent sheet metal.
 25. The assembly of claim 24wherein the panel member is a first panel member and the panel assemblyfurther includes a second panel member having oppositely facing frontand rear surfaces, the second panel member positioned adjacent the firstpanel member with the rear surface of the second panel member contactingthe front surface of the first panel member.
 26. The assembly of claim25 wherein the first panel member forms a hole and one of the frontsurface of the first panel member and the rear surface of the secondpanel member forms a channel that extends from the hole to a lower edgeof the panel member that forms the channel.
 27. The assembly of claim 25further including a display mounted to the front surface of the secondpanel member.
 28. A lounge assembly comprising: a lounge including aseat and a backrest and having first and second ends; an arch supportedby the lounge, the arch including first and second substantiallyvertical end wall members that extend upward from adjacent the first andsecond ends of the lounge and a ceiling member that traverses thedistance between the first and second end wall members, the spacebetween the end wall members forming an arch space, each end wall memberhaving an internal surface facing the arch space, each of the end wallmembers and the ceiling member having a rear edge proximate the backrestand a front edge opposite the rear edge; and first and second lightsources supported by the first and second end wall members,respectively, each light source generating light that is directed atleast partially onto the internal surface of the end wall member thatsupports the light source along trajectories away from the front edge ofthe end wall member that supports the light source.
 29. The loungeassembly of claim 28 wherein each light source includes a reflector thatextends at least partially into the arch space and that reflects lightfrom the light source along trajectories away from the front edges. 30.The lounge assembly of claim 29 wherein channels are formed in theinternal surfaces of each of the first and second end wall members andwherein the light sources are at least partially received in thechannels.
 31. The lounge assembly of claim 30 wherein the reflectorsextend at least partially into the channels.
 32. The lounge assembly ofclaim 30 wherein each of the channels is formed proximate the front edgeof one of the side wall members.
 33. The lounge assembly of claim 32wherein the internal surfaces are covered with a material that reflectsthe light back into the arch area.
 34. The lounge assembly of claim 28further including an audio box supported by the ceiling member withinthe arch area.
 35. The lounge assembly of claim 28 wherein each of theend wall members forms a channel adjacent the front edge of the wallmember, the light sources each including light generating devices andreflectors, the light generating devices mounted within the channels andthe reflectors reflecting light along the trajectories away from thefront edges of the end wall members.
 36. The lounge assembly of claim 35wherein the light devices include strings of LEDs mounted in thechannels, the reflectors including elongated reflectors that extendalong at least a portion of a height of each of the end wall members.37. The lounge assembly of claim 35 wherein a channel is formed alongthe front edge of the ceiling member and wherein a light source is alsomounted within the channel formed in the ceiling member to direct lightalong trajectories away from the front edge of the ceiling member. 38.The assembly of claim 28 further including a screen member supported bythe arch. The screen member including a substantially planar memberhaving a shape similar to the shape formed by the rear edges of the sidewall members and the ceiling member, the planar member spaced apart fromthe rear edges of the side wall members and the ceiling member to form agap.
 39. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the gap is between two andeight inches wide.
 40. A display assembly for mounting a display to asupport structure for movement between different heights, the assemblycomprising: an external frame member that forms an internal frame space,the frame member including substantially parallel top and bottom wallmembers and substantially parallel first and second lateral wall membersthat traverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottomwall members to form the frame space there between that is open to afront side, the frame member forming a rear frame opening; an electronicdisplay screen mounted within the frame space so that a display surfaceof the display screen faces out the front side of the frame space; amounting plate located outside the frame space for mounting to thesupport structure; a first height adjustment spring assembly mountedwithin the frame space; and a first bracket connected to the springassembly within the frame space and extending from the frame space andconnected to the mounting bracket outside the frame space.
 41. Theassembly of claim 40 further including a second height adjustment springassembly mounted within the frame space and a second bracket connectedto the second spring assembly within the frame space and extending fromthe frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the shellspace.
 42. The assembly of claim 40 wherein the spring assembly is a gasspring assembly that includes a rod that telescopes from a springhousing, the first bracket connected proximate a distal end of the rod.43. The assembly of claim 42 further including at least a first guiderod mounted within the frame space and at least a first guide sleevemounted for sliding movement on the guide rod, the first guide sleevesecured to the mounting plate.
 44. The assembly of claim 43 furtherincluding at least a second guide sleeve mounted for sliding movement tothe guide rod and also secured to the mounting plate.
 45. The assemblyof claim 40 wherein the mounting plate forms a shelf member that extendsinto a cavity formed in the shell space, the cavity moving verticallyrelative to the shelf during height adjustment of the display screen.46. The assembly of claim 40 further including an audio box mountedwithin the frame space.
 47. The assembly of claim 46 further including aglass cover member supported in the open front side of the frame member.48. The assembly of claim 47 wherein the glass cover has dimensionssmaller than dimensions between the internal surfaces of the shelladjacent the front side of the shell so that a gap is formed betweenadjacent edges of the cover member and the frame member.
 49. Theassembly of claim 48 wherein there is a direct path between the audiobox and the space external to the frame member through the gap.
 50. Theassembly of claim 40 further including a shell member mounted within theframe member, the shell member forming compartments for mounting thedisplay screen and the height adjustment spring assembly.
 51. Theassembly of claim 50 wherein the shell member forms a rear surface, theframe member forming a flange that mounts to the rear surface of theshell member.
 52. A display assembly for mounting to a support structurefor movement between different heights, the assembly comprising: anexternal frame member that forms an internal frame space, the framemember including substantially parallel top and bottom wall members andsubstantially parallel first and second lateral wall members thattraverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottom wallmembers to form the frame space there between that is open to a frontside, the frame member including flanges that extend inward from rearedges of the wall members forming a rear frame opening; an internalshell member that includes side walls and a rear wall that form arectilinear shell space that is open to a front side, the rear wall ofthe internal shell member mounted to the flanges formed by the framemember with the shell member positioned within the frame space, the rearwall forming at least first and second elongated and substantiallyvertically oriented openings; an electronic display screen mountedwithin the shell space so that a display surface of the display screenfaces out the front side of the shell space; a mounting plate locatedoutside the frame space for mounting to the support structure; a firstheight adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space; asecond height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space;a first bracket connected to the first spring assembly within the shellspace and extending through the first opening formed by the rear wall ofthe shell member from the frame space and connected to the mountingbracket outside the frame space; and a second bracket connected to thesecond spring assembly within the shell space and extending through thesecond opening formed by the rear wall of the shell member from theframe space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the framespace.